14” Palden Lhamo Copper Idol from Nepal | Copper Statue Gilded with Gold

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14” Palden Lhamo Copper Idol from Nepal | Copper Statue Gilded with Gold

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Name: 14” Palden Lhamo Copper Idol from Nepal | Copper Statue Gilded with Gold
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: NLH025
Price: 1535.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1439.25

$1919

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

In the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Palden Khamo, also known as Remati, is a strong and highly esteemed protectress deity. Palden Lhamo is a fierce and imposing figure who is frequently shown mounted on a donkey or mule. Bone jewelry and a crown decorated with human skulls complemented her angry visage. She is holding a skull cup and staff with a vajra tip, signifying her power to ward off evil spirits and defend the Dharma.

Palden Lhamo is frequently called upon for help in overcoming challenges and clearing barriers on the spiritual path. He is regarded as a Dharamsala, a guardian of the teachings. Feel the powerful, defending force that Palden Lhamo exudes as you focus on her. She guides and protects practitioners along the way.

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Specifications

	NLH025
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 14 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 5.5 inch
	Weight 6.20 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Fierce Protection

This magnificent copper idol, meticulously crafted in Nepal and finished with resplendent gold gilding, captures the formidable presence of Palden Lhamo, one of the most significant protective deities in Tibetan Buddhism. Palden Lhamo is revered as the wrathful guardian of the Dharma, a fierce protector against obstacles, ignorance, and malevolent forces. Her image is often depicted in a dynamic and awe-inspiring manner, reflecting her role as a powerful force for good in the universe. The artistry of this piece is evident in every detail, from the intricate musculature of Palden Lhamo to the powerful stride of her mount. The deity herself is portrayed with a fierce countenance, embodying her unwavering resolve to vanquish negativity. Her multi-faceted eyes survey all directions, symbolizing her all-seeing awareness, while her bared fangs and menacing expression communicate her readiness to confront any threat. She is adorned with powerful ornaments and symbols that denote her celestial status and her dominion over both the earthly and spiritual realms.

The Symbolism of the Mount and Surrounding Figures

Palden Lhamo is famously depicted riding a mule, a symbol of her tenacious and unwavering progress, often said to have been a gift from the gods or derived from specific mythological narratives. In this representation, the mule is imbued with a raw, untamed energy, its eyes blazing with spiritual fire, mirroring the intensity of the goddess herself. The dynamic posture of the deity astride her mount conveys a sense of unstoppable momentum, as if she is in perpetual motion, actively engaging in her role as protector. Adding to the dramatic narrative of the sculpture, smaller figures are often incorporated, representing beings or energies that either serve or are overcome by Palden Lhamo. These figures, rendered with equal attention to detail, contribute to the overall aura of power and dominion. They can symbolize the vanquished negativities or the obedient retinue of the protective deity, further emphasizing her supreme authority and her unwavering commitment to upholding cosmic order.

A Testament to Nepalese Craftsmanship and Spiritual Devotion

The creation of such intricate deity images in Nepal is a time-honored tradition, deeply rooted in centuries of spiritual practice and artistic excellence. The use of copper as a base material provides a durable and receptive medium for the intricate work, while the application of gold gilding elevates the idol, imbuing it with a divine radiance. This technique not only enhances the visual splendor of the piece but also signifies the sacredness and purity associated with gold in many spiritual traditions. This 14-inch statue is a powerful representation of Palden Lhamo's protective energy. It serves as a potent focal point for meditation, prayer, or as a sacred adornment for an altar or sacred space, radiating an aura of spiritual strength and unwavering guardianship. It is a testament to the profound spiritual heritage of Nepal and the enduring devotion to this formidable protector deity.

How are Nepalese copper statues made?

Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual purposes in their temples and monasteries.

Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process involves many steps and requires skilled artists.

The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills otherwise fine features will be lacking.

Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so that the wax flows away when it is heated.

At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is obtained.

This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed and the statue within is revealed.

The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools. It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.

Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold finish.

The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique

for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details. Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.